Preview: Blues v Highlanders

Round 8 begins with an intriguing meeting as the Blues host a Highlanders franchise that remains winless in Super Rugby 2013.

Round Eight begins with an intriguing meeting at Eden Park in Auckland as the Blues host a Highlanders outfit that remains winless in Super Rugby.

If asked which team in New Zealand would be the most likely to possess an 0 from 5 record then the majority would undoubtedly have said the Blues.

However it is in fact the star-studded Highlanders sitting at the foot of the conference, 19 points off the Chiefs and 11 from the fifth-placed Blues.

That places extra emphasis on this being a must-win for the men from Dunedin as they know that lose and they are not just adrift but out of sight in terms of getting off the bottom. For reference, the fourth-place side in New Zealand, the Hurricanes, host the Tahs and are expected to win that one.

A painful 33-34 defeat against the Reds was their most recent loss to the 2013 tally as we wrongly predicted that was to finally be the end of their rot.

Now, is this Friday going to see us plump for the Highlanders once again? Well they don't have a better time to face the Blues if we are to look at form. The Blues have lost three on the bounce as their early-season victories have been dampened by recent defeats to the Bulls, Waratahs and reigning champion Chiefs.

Sir John Kirwan is boosted by the return of Keven Mealamu to his matchday squad - after an extended break - in a side that shows two changes. Tasman loosehead Tim Perry will start in place of Tom McCartney, while Jackson Willison replaces Francis Saili at inside centre.

The latter move is a wise decision by Kirwan as despite Saili's obvious talent, he needs to be managed during his early career. In Willison they have an impressive replacement.

The Highlanders meanwhile have gone into the market to bring in former Crusaders number eight Mose Tuiali'i. Tuiali'i's arrival from Japan cushions the continued absence of Nasi Manu as Elliot Dixon this week moves on to the bench. They remain without one of their danger men, Kade Poki, due to injury so Buxton Popoali'i continues at right wing.

It promises to be an open spectacle at Eden Park so we expect to see plenty of running opportunities for Rene Ranger, Hosea Gear, Charles Piutau and Ben Smith. Picking a winner though is a tough call as both sides will be hoping to stop their respective poor runs of form.

Unfortunately for Highlanders fans, it could well be another close game to test the nerves.